High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie (Pustularia cicercula) - Facts & Information
Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007
Scientific Classification
High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie: Complete Species Profile and Guide
The High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie (Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007) exemplifies distinctive features found in octopuses, clams, and snails found in mrgid. This in-depth guide covers taxonomy, anatomy, habitat, behavior, diet, reproduction, conservation status, and practical notes for identification and research.
Quick Facts About the High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007 |
| Common Name | High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie |
| Family | Cypraeidae |
| Order | Littorinimorpha |
| Class | Gastropoda |
| Primary Habitat | Diverse Marine Habitats |
| Geographic Range | Mrgid |
Taxonomic Classification and Scientific Background
The high-bridge chickpea cowrie is placed within the phylum Mollusca. Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia - Phylum: Mollusca - Class: Gastropoda - Order: Littorinimorpha - Family: Cypraeidae - Scientific Name: Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007
Taxonomic notes: molluscan classification is based on shell morphology, radula structure, soft anatomy, and molecular data. Always verify synonyms in MolluscaBase or WoRMS.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie typically display molluscan body plan: head, visceral mass, and muscular foot (modified in cephalopods to arms/tentacles). The mantle secretes shell material where present; radula is used by many clades for feeding. Key identification features include:
- Shell shape, sculpture, and color (for shelled taxa) - Radula type and tooth arrangement (important for diet inference) - Soft-tissue characters (gill arrangement, mantle features) - Cephalopod-specific traits: chromatophores, beak, siphon for jet propulsion
Habitat Preferences and Geographic Distribution
High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries occur in mrgid, usually in diverse marine habitats. Habitat selection depends on substrate, depth, salinity, temperature and food supply. Microhabitats include intertidal rocks, seagrass beds, sandy bottoms, coral reefs, and deep-sea vents.
Behavior and Ecology
The high-bridge chickpea cowrie displays bilateral soft-bodied anatomy and a complex nervous system (notably in cephalopods). Behavioral highlights:
- Locomotion: foot gliding, burrowing, or cephalopod jetting - Foraging strategies: grazing, filter-feeding, predation with radula/venom, scavenging - Defensive behavior: shell withdrawal, crypsis, ink release (cephalopods), venom in some gastropods
Diet and Feeding Ecology
Diet varies by clade: many gastropods graze on algae, bivalves filter phytoplankton and detritus, and cephalopods are active predators. Feeding mechanics often correlate with radula morphology or specialized appendages/venom. Trophic role: primary consumer, predator or scavenger.
Reproduction, Development, and Life Cycle
Molluscs show diverse reproductive strategies: broadcast spawning with planktonic trochophore/veliger larvae, brooding, or direct development. Cephalopods typically have complex mating behaviors and some brood/guard eggs. Reproductive timing often links with seasonal cycles and temperature.
Conservation Status and Threats
Conservation concerns for high-bridge chickpea cowries include overharvesting (food & aquarium trade), habitat loss, pollution, and ocean acidification which impairs shell formation. Assess status via IUCN, national red lists, and targeted monitoring. Mitigation: MPAs, sustainable harvest, pollution reductions, aquaculture best-practice.
Ecological Importance and Ecosystem Services
Molluscs regulate algal communities (grazers), filter water (bivalves), and form prey base for fish, birds and mammals. Shell accumulations form substrates and beaches. Cephalopods are important mid-trophic predators with fast life-histories influencing prey populations.
Frequently Asked Questions About High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries
What is a High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie?
The high-bridge chickpea cowrie (Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007) is a mollusc belonging to the Cypraeidae family and the Littorinimorpha order. Molluscs are soft-bodied animals often protected by shells, with diverse feeding strategies and complex life cycles.
What is the scientific name of the High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie?
The scientific name is Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007. This binomial follows Linnaean taxonomy.
Where do High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries live?
High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries are found in mrgid. Distribution is driven by substrate, temperature, salinity, and food availability.
What do High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries eat?
Diets vary widely: grazing on algae, filter-feeding plankton, predation using radula/venom, or scavenging.
How big is a High-Bridge Chickpea Cowrie?
Size ranges widely among molluscs, from minute gastropods to giant cephalopods several meters long.
How do High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries reproduce?
Molluscs reproduce by external spawning or internal fertilization; many have trochophore/veliger larval stages.
Are High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries endangered?
Many species face threats like overharvesting, habitat loss, and ocean acidification affecting shell formation.
What role do High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries play in ecosystems?
High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries serve as grazers, filter feeders, predators, and prey, significantly shaping marine food webs.
What unique adaptations do High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries have?
Adaptations include the radula, shell biomineralization, chromatophores (cephalopods), and ink/venom in some species.
How are molluscs studied and conserved?
Conservation uses monitoring, protected areas, regulated harvest, aquaculture and research on acidification resilience.
Data Sources and References
This profile was compiled from primary species records and scientific literature.
Primary source: GBIF / WoRMS / MolluscaBase Citation: Last Updated: 2025-10-22T11:01:58Z Taxonomic verification recommended via MolluscaBase, WoRMS, and GBIF.Conclusion: Protecting High-Bridge Chickpea Cowries
The high-bridge chickpea cowrie (Pustularia cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn, 2007) showcases molluscan diversity and ecological importance across mrgid. Protecting its habitat and understanding life-history traits will benefit biodiversity and fisheries sustainability.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.
Additional Research and Notes
Further research into morphology, population genetics, and responses to ocean change improves conservation planning. Studies of shell biomineralization and radula biomechanics inform both taxonomy and material-science inspired solutions. Long-term monitoring and citizen-science contributions (e.g., shell surveys, diver observations) are valuable.